Calico Bass, Kelp Bass: Paralabrax clathratus

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Calico Bass / Kelp Bass
Paralabrax clathratus

From our Historical Fish Plate Archives:

Common Names:

Calico bass, Kelp bass, cabrilla.

Identifying Characteristics:

Fish caught over sandy/rocky areas will sometimes be very light with lots of white and contrasting brown. Fish caught deep in kelp beds will be colored same color as the kelp, with orange-yellow to golden tints. Calico-style markings on sides in colors of olive, gray and brown. Smaller breeding males sometimes have yellow chins.

Range and Locations:

Washington state to southern Baja California. Can be found around kelp, rocks, ocean structures.

Stats:

Reaching almost 30 inches in length and oldest can live to over 30 years. All fish at 10 1/2 inches are mature.

Market Forms:

Fresh. Excellent table fare.

Closing Remarks:

Illegal to sell these bass commercially. Sport quality. Off Southern California: this is the salt water version of the largemouth mouth bass, using similar techniques as you would on freshwater largemouth bass. They readily hit jigs, plastic baits and live bait. Very sporting fish and many people are fanatical about catch and release of this species.

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